Wounded 29 Jul 1918, Pvt US Army WWI, s/o George & Mary, twin brother Sidney.
This is a copy of the letter sent to Thomas' parents notifying them of his death and Tommy put it in the book.
Home Communication Service
American Red Cross
An American Hospital in France
August 27, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bell
Brookeland, Texas
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bell:
I write to tell you of the deep sympathy of the American Red Cross in France, in the death of your son, Private Thomas Bell,
Company A 47th Infantry.
He came to this hospital August 8, 1918, suffering from gunshot wounds in the chest and left arm.
Everything the nurses could do was in vain.
He died August 24, 1918 at 4:50 a.m.
I called in the ward to say goodnight to the boys (as is my usual custom before leaving the hospital), on Friday, August 23.
I found Thomas in a weak condition so bade him good-night and as his lips moved he smiled at me sweetly, a smile which I shall always remember.
The nurse with him that night tells me that he went to sleep about 8 p.m., a sleep from which he never awakened.
I am located here at the hospital as a representative of the home communication service of the American Red Cross, trying to render service to the brave sons of America, and helping to fill, as it were, that missing link between the home and battlefield.
I visited your son a number of times during his stay in the hospital, and we talked of home and mother.
Every time I saw Thomas he spoke of mother and how much it would mean to see you and be back in Texas: he confidently assured me that he had the best mother that ever lived.
He did not realize he was going to die, but was looking forward to his return to the States and his homefolks.
Last Thursday he asked me to write his brother Sidney, and tell him that he was wounded but getting along finest kind.
"Tell him to write to me and if possible to come to see me and send love." I wrote the letter to Sidney and will also send him a copy of this letter that he may know his brother has done his long drill and has been called "dismissed."
Yes, "Taps" for him have been sounded and he is resting calm and free: After a while he will waken to stand God's reveille.
Your son so much enjoyed the flowers I left each day in the ward and said on several occasions "it was so sweet of you to bring us flowers, they are so beautiful."
We all admired Thomas for his genial disposition and unselfish nature.
The services at the hospital were conducted by a Red Cross chaplain under a locust tree amid most picturesque surroundings.
His coffin was draped with an American flag, which honor is won by every American soldier who pays the supreme sacrifice upon the altar of patriotism.
A number of his comrades were present and escorted the body to its last resting place, which is an American military cemetery, located on a most restful and peaceful hillside in France, where your son takes his well earned repose under the most glorious epitaph which can fall to the lot of a soldier.
There will be a cross at the head of the grave, bearing his name and date of death: if possible we will have a picture taken of the grave and sent to you.
After the war you will be advised of the exact location where your son is buried.
At present we are not permitted to mention any certain place in France. Surely it must be a comfort to realize that your son has served a great cause and has given all for his country.
The tears I shed as I stood by the side of your son's grave, and watched his comrades in arms fire the final salute ,while the trumpster sounded "Taps," which signals the last honor to the soldier, were tears of sympathy for you, his parents and loved ones at home, so many miles away.
I am sending you one of the flowers taken from the boquet which I placed upon his casket, and a piece of ribbon with which they were tied: also a lock of his hair.
In this American Red Cross, please remember always that you have a friend that appreciates this great loss of yours and sympathizes with you as only one can who is here in daily attendance at the bedside of the boys as they return from the battlefield.
When I again visit your son's last resting place, I shall place flowers on his grave in your behalf.
With renewed assurance of our sympathy, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
Emily A. Patterson
This is a copy of the letter sent to Thomas' parents notifying them of his death and Tommy put it in the book.
Home Communication Service
American Red Cross
An American Hospital in France
August 27, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bell
Brookeland, Texas
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bell:
I write to tell you of the deep sympathy of the American Red Cross in France, in the death of your son, Private Thomas Bell,
Company A 47th Infantry.
He came to this hospital August 8, 1918, suffering from gunshot wounds in the chest and left arm.
Everything the nurses could do was in vain.
He died August 24, 1918 at 4:50 a.m.
I called in the ward to say goodnight to the boys (as is my usual custom before leaving the hospital), on Friday, August 23.
I found Thomas in a weak condition so bade him good-night and as his lips moved he smiled at me sweetly, a smile which I shall always remember.
The nurse with him that night tells me that he went to sleep about 8 p.m., a sleep from which he never awakened.
I am located here at the hospital as a representative of the home communication service of the American Red Cross, trying to render service to the brave sons of America, and helping to fill, as it were, that missing link between the home and battlefield.
I visited your son a number of times during his stay in the hospital, and we talked of home and mother.
Every time I saw Thomas he spoke of mother and how much it would mean to see you and be back in Texas: he confidently assured me that he had the best mother that ever lived.
He did not realize he was going to die, but was looking forward to his return to the States and his homefolks.
Last Thursday he asked me to write his brother Sidney, and tell him that he was wounded but getting along finest kind.
"Tell him to write to me and if possible to come to see me and send love." I wrote the letter to Sidney and will also send him a copy of this letter that he may know his brother has done his long drill and has been called "dismissed."
Yes, "Taps" for him have been sounded and he is resting calm and free: After a while he will waken to stand God's reveille.
Your son so much enjoyed the flowers I left each day in the ward and said on several occasions "it was so sweet of you to bring us flowers, they are so beautiful."
We all admired Thomas for his genial disposition and unselfish nature.
The services at the hospital were conducted by a Red Cross chaplain under a locust tree amid most picturesque surroundings.
His coffin was draped with an American flag, which honor is won by every American soldier who pays the supreme sacrifice upon the altar of patriotism.
A number of his comrades were present and escorted the body to its last resting place, which is an American military cemetery, located on a most restful and peaceful hillside in France, where your son takes his well earned repose under the most glorious epitaph which can fall to the lot of a soldier.
There will be a cross at the head of the grave, bearing his name and date of death: if possible we will have a picture taken of the grave and sent to you.
After the war you will be advised of the exact location where your son is buried.
At present we are not permitted to mention any certain place in France. Surely it must be a comfort to realize that your son has served a great cause and has given all for his country.
The tears I shed as I stood by the side of your son's grave, and watched his comrades in arms fire the final salute ,while the trumpster sounded "Taps," which signals the last honor to the soldier, were tears of sympathy for you, his parents and loved ones at home, so many miles away.
I am sending you one of the flowers taken from the boquet which I placed upon his casket, and a piece of ribbon with which they were tied: also a lock of his hair.
In this American Red Cross, please remember always that you have a friend that appreciates this great loss of yours and sympathizes with you as only one can who is here in daily attendance at the bedside of the boys as they return from the battlefield.
When I again visit your son's last resting place, I shall place flowers on his grave in your behalf.
With renewed assurance of our sympathy, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
Emily A. Patterson
Wounded 29 Jul 1918, Pvt US Army WWI, s/o George & Mary, twin brother Sidney.
This is a copy of the letter sent to Thomas' parents notifying them of his death and Tommy put it in the book.
Home Communication Service
American Red Cross
An American Hospital in France
August 27, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bell
Brookeland, Texas
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bell:
I write to tell you of the deep sympathy of the American Red Cross in France, in the death of your son, Private Thomas Bell,
Company A 47th Infantry.
He came to this hospital August 8, 1918, suffering from gunshot wounds in the chest and left arm.
Everything the nurses could do was in vain.
He died August 24, 1918 at 4:50 a.m.
I called in the ward to say goodnight to the boys (as is my usual custom before leaving the hospital), on Friday, August 23.
I found Thomas in a weak condition so bade him good-night and as his lips moved he smiled at me sweetly, a smile which I shall always remember.
The nurse with him that night tells me that he went to sleep about 8 p.m., a sleep from which he never awakened.
I am located here at the hospital as a representative of the home communication service of the American Red Cross, trying to render service to the brave sons of America, and helping to fill, as it were, that missing link between the home and battlefield.
I visited your son a number of times during his stay in the hospital, and we talked of home and mother.
Every time I saw Thomas he spoke of mother and how much it would mean to see you and be back in Texas: he confidently assured me that he had the best mother that ever lived.
He did not realize he was going to die, but was looking forward to his return to the States and his homefolks.
Last Thursday he asked me to write his brother Sidney, and tell him that he was wounded but getting along finest kind.
"Tell him to write to me and if possible to come to see me and send love." I wrote the letter to Sidney and will also send him a copy of this letter that he may know his brother has done his long drill and has been called "dismissed."
Yes, "Taps" for him have been sounded and he is resting calm and free: After a while he will waken to stand God's reveille.
Your son so much enjoyed the flowers I left each day in the ward and said on several occasions "it was so sweet of you to bring us flowers, they are so beautiful."
We all admired Thomas for his genial disposition and unselfish nature.
The services at the hospital were conducted by a Red Cross chaplain under a locust tree amid most picturesque surroundings.
His coffin was draped with an American flag, which honor is won by every American soldier who pays the supreme sacrifice upon the altar of patriotism.
A number of his comrades were present and escorted the body to its last resting place, which is an American military cemetery, located on a most restful and peaceful hillside in France, where your son takes his well earned repose under the most glorious epitaph which can fall to the lot of a soldier.
There will be a cross at the head of the grave, bearing his name and date of death: if possible we will have a picture taken of the grave and sent to you.
After the war you will be advised of the exact location where your son is buried.
At present we are not permitted to mention any certain place in France. Surely it must be a comfort to realize that your son has served a great cause and has given all for his country.
The tears I shed as I stood by the side of your son's grave, and watched his comrades in arms fire the final salute ,while the trumpster sounded "Taps," which signals the last honor to the soldier, were tears of sympathy for you, his parents and loved ones at home, so many miles away.
I am sending you one of the flowers taken from the boquet which I placed upon his casket, and a piece of ribbon with which they were tied: also a lock of his hair.
In this American Red Cross, please remember always that you have a friend that appreciates this great loss of yours and sympathizes with you as only one can who is here in daily attendance at the bedside of the boys as they return from the battlefield.
When I again visit your son's last resting place, I shall place flowers on his grave in your behalf.
With renewed assurance of our sympathy, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
Emily A. Patterson
This is a copy of the letter sent to Thomas' parents notifying them of his death and Tommy put it in the book.
Home Communication Service
American Red Cross
An American Hospital in France
August 27, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bell
Brookeland, Texas
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bell:
I write to tell you of the deep sympathy of the American Red Cross in France, in the death of your son, Private Thomas Bell,
Company A 47th Infantry.
He came to this hospital August 8, 1918, suffering from gunshot wounds in the chest and left arm.
Everything the nurses could do was in vain.
He died August 24, 1918 at 4:50 a.m.
I called in the ward to say goodnight to the boys (as is my usual custom before leaving the hospital), on Friday, August 23.
I found Thomas in a weak condition so bade him good-night and as his lips moved he smiled at me sweetly, a smile which I shall always remember.
The nurse with him that night tells me that he went to sleep about 8 p.m., a sleep from which he never awakened.
I am located here at the hospital as a representative of the home communication service of the American Red Cross, trying to render service to the brave sons of America, and helping to fill, as it were, that missing link between the home and battlefield.
I visited your son a number of times during his stay in the hospital, and we talked of home and mother.
Every time I saw Thomas he spoke of mother and how much it would mean to see you and be back in Texas: he confidently assured me that he had the best mother that ever lived.
He did not realize he was going to die, but was looking forward to his return to the States and his homefolks.
Last Thursday he asked me to write his brother Sidney, and tell him that he was wounded but getting along finest kind.
"Tell him to write to me and if possible to come to see me and send love." I wrote the letter to Sidney and will also send him a copy of this letter that he may know his brother has done his long drill and has been called "dismissed."
Yes, "Taps" for him have been sounded and he is resting calm and free: After a while he will waken to stand God's reveille.
Your son so much enjoyed the flowers I left each day in the ward and said on several occasions "it was so sweet of you to bring us flowers, they are so beautiful."
We all admired Thomas for his genial disposition and unselfish nature.
The services at the hospital were conducted by a Red Cross chaplain under a locust tree amid most picturesque surroundings.
His coffin was draped with an American flag, which honor is won by every American soldier who pays the supreme sacrifice upon the altar of patriotism.
A number of his comrades were present and escorted the body to its last resting place, which is an American military cemetery, located on a most restful and peaceful hillside in France, where your son takes his well earned repose under the most glorious epitaph which can fall to the lot of a soldier.
There will be a cross at the head of the grave, bearing his name and date of death: if possible we will have a picture taken of the grave and sent to you.
After the war you will be advised of the exact location where your son is buried.
At present we are not permitted to mention any certain place in France. Surely it must be a comfort to realize that your son has served a great cause and has given all for his country.
The tears I shed as I stood by the side of your son's grave, and watched his comrades in arms fire the final salute ,while the trumpster sounded "Taps," which signals the last honor to the soldier, were tears of sympathy for you, his parents and loved ones at home, so many miles away.
I am sending you one of the flowers taken from the boquet which I placed upon his casket, and a piece of ribbon with which they were tied: also a lock of his hair.
In this American Red Cross, please remember always that you have a friend that appreciates this great loss of yours and sympathizes with you as only one can who is here in daily attendance at the bedside of the boys as they return from the battlefield.
When I again visit your son's last resting place, I shall place flowers on his grave in your behalf.
With renewed assurance of our sympathy, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
Emily A. Patterson
Family Members
Siblings
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Martha Genettie Bell
1873–1876
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Annie Angeline Bell King
1875–1956
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William Franklin Bell
1876–1967
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Frances Lee Ella "Fanny" Bell Jordan
1878–1956
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Mary Louisa Bell
1880–1913
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Georgie Bell
1882–1883
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John Oliver Bell
1883–1947
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Bolivar Bell
1887–1932
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Pearl Bell Brooke
1890–1968
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George Alfred Bell
1892–1897
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Sidney Bell
1895–1972
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Zelma Bell Booker
1900–1988
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